Tag Archives: staunton spall

Though comparisons to The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel are inevitable, Finding Your Feet is more like Quartet, except with dancing instead of singing. Filled with charming British actors and actresses in their 60s and 70s, the story is not the best and is less than exotic, and instead leans toward the predictable and stereotypical.

Lady Sandra (Imelda Staunton) lives her pampered life as the wife of a highly regarded, retired Scotland Yard police chief. They live in a glorious mansion and associate with other highbrows, many of whom have gathered for Sandra’s and Mike’s (John Sessions) 40th anniversary party. It’s during this party that Sandra discovers Mike’s long-term affair with her best friend.

Dance Lessons

Forsaking her wealthy friends who may have been aware of the affair or even conspired against her, Sandra takes refuge with her older sister, Bif (Celia Imrie), in her cluttered London apartment. Bif’s irresponsible, fun-loving lifestyle, which includes dance lessons at her local senior center, is the opposite of Sandra’s rigidly structured daily routine.

Acclaimed British Actors

Bif’s friend, Charlie (Timothy Spall, after tremendous weight loss), is not only her frequent dance partner, but her closest friend. Anticipating the future when Sandra will be divorced and Charlie will be a widower (his wife is living in a treatment facility) and they will need each other’s support, Bif fixes them up on a date that the audience knows is coming long before Charlie and Sandra do.

With a cast comprised of so much established talent (and including David Hayman and Joanna Lumley), the movie doesn’t totally miss the mark. However, overused story elements and movie cliches make this feel-good film about aging and the rejuvenating powers of romance and dance feel more tired than anything else. There’s isn’t much new material here, but fans of Staunton, Spall, and Imrie will enjoy watching these stars delivering performances that excel beyond the script.

Finding Your Feet

When a snooty titled English woman learn her husband of 40 years is having an affair with her best friend, she takes off for London to live with her estranged free-spirited older sister.